Lotus C-01 superbike breaks cover

Lotus has revealed details of its first superbike, the C-01. Although Lotus has not actually made the bike, it is a product of Germany's Kodewa Performance Motorcycles and tuner Holzer Group. This awesome looking bike has been designed by Daniel Simon, who has worked for Bugatti and Volkswagen. He has also worked in Hollywood and has designed vehicles for various films including  Tron:Legacy, Prometheus and Oblivion. It is expected that this motorcycle will go in to production in a few months.

The bike's body is made of steel, titanium and carbon-fibre. Propulsion is via a liquid cooled, two-cylinder, four stroke, 1195cc V-Twin engine. Power produced is a claimed 200PS and is delivered via a six-speed jaw-type shift transmission. With a total dry weight of 181kg, the C-01 has an amazing power-weight ratio of 1105PS /ton ensuring phenomenal straight line performance. All that speed is reined in by four piston calipers biting at twin 320mm discs up front and a twin piston caliper chewing on a single 220mm disc at the rear. Wheelbase is longer than usual at 1651mm and with dimensions like those given in the press release below, the bike may not give racetrack handling performance. Suspension setup consists of USD forks at front and twin gas damped struts at the rear. Tyres on the front are 120/70 ZR19 while the rear is shod with 190/55 ZR17. The fuel tank capacity is 10.5l.

This will be a very rare bike with Lotus intending to produce only 100 specimens.

Lotus reveals first superbike C-01 press release

Lotus Motorcycle C-01 Road Ready
Following two years of careful planning and intense development, Kodewa is delighted to announce that the prototype of the world's first motorcycle to bear the legendary Lotus marque is now road registered and ready for action.
Kodewa has been granted a license to produce the motorcycle by Group Lotus plc, the world renowned sportscar manufacturer and engineering consultancy.
The C-01 combines ample power via a V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fibre, titanium and aerospace quality steel.
The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus plc but is the result of a collaboration between motorsport veterans under the leadership of Kodewa, lead by Dr Colin Kolles. The development on the C-01 was carried out with the support of Holzer Group (co-owners of Kalex) and design guru Daniel Simon. Drawing on their wealth of motorsport experience, the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance superbike.
The C-01 will be available in a range of liveries some of which pay homage to Lotus' sporting pedigree. A customisation service is also available, limited only by the imagination of the client. With an exclusive production run of just 100 units, superbike collectors and fans of the Lotus brand will need to move fast to secure one.
The original idea to create the C-01 came from Kodewa's Dr Colin Kolles. Speaking about the project he said: "We set out to create a bike that isn't just great to ride but also represents a piece of art in motion. Over the years I have seen my fair share of style over substance, what this bike brings to the market is a unique combination of both: state of the art technology with a truly jaw-dropping aesthetic."
Commenting on the C-01 Günther Holzer, CEO of Holzer Group said: "I was one of the first people to ride it and I have to say I was very impressed. Together we have found that delicate balance between raw, aggressive power and breath-taking handling. The team has created something very special, it looks incredible, it sounds fantastic but above all, the ride is sensational. I'm very happy."
Designer Daniel Simon said: "The design process of the C-01 was a labour of love, there were many challenges, ensuring that the bike not only touches your visual senses with its timeless blend of classic appeal and modern execution, but that is safe and ergonomically sound was critical to me. We have worked hard to create a motorcycle with very distinctive features such as a clean main body, an extremely low side profile, a bold stance, a unique air intake, logical partline solutions and clean graphics."
ENGINE
Construction: 2-cylinder 4-stroke engine, 75° V-style
Capacity: 1,195 cm³
Bore: 105 mm
Stroke: 69 mm
Power Approx: 200 HP
Transmission: 6-gear jaw-type shift transmission
Lubrication: Dry sump lubrication
Main shaft ratio: 40:76
Lay shaft ratio: 15:41
Cooling: Water cooling
Clutch: Hydraulic anti-hopping clutch
CHASSIS
Frame: Aero tech steel/Titanium/Carbon fibre frame
Fork: Upside down
Suspension strut: Twin suspension strut
Spring travel front: 80 mm
Spring travel rear: 70 mm
Brake system front: Twin brake disc, ø320mm, four piston calipers
Brake system rear: One brake disc, ø220mm, two piston calipers
Chain: X-Ring resp. O-Ring
Head tube ang: 59°
Fork ang: 54°
Wheel base: 1.645±15 mm
Ride height: 90 mm
Height of seat: 710 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 10.5 l
Dry weight: 181 kg
Wheel front: 3.00×19; 120/70ZR19
Wheel rear: 6.00×19; 190/55ZR17